Houston Fire Department - Station 55 - The Double Nickel

Thirteen years ago today, May 31, 2013, the Houston Fire Department experienced its darkest day.

A five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn on the Southwest Freeway brought crews from Stations 51 and 68 to what would become the deadliest incident in HFD history. As firefighters worked to search and suppress the blaze, the roof collapsed, trapping crews inside.

Four firefighters were killed that day. A fifth, Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling, lost both legs in the fire and passed away in 2017 from complications related to his injuries.

We remember Captain Matthew Renaud, Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, Firefighter Robert Garner, Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, and Captain William "Iron Bill" Dowling.

They sacrificed everything. We will never forget.

100-acre park opens in Sunnyside, neighborhood's first in 50 years (PHOTOS) - Houston Business Journal A new 100-acre new green space has officially opened in southern Houston, making it the first park to open in Sunnyside in the past 50 years. Take a look at the features.

Galveston Fire Department Chief Mike Varela Jr. said that at 5:37 p.m., firefighters received a call of eight riders stuck in the Iron Shark roller coaster.
Initial images showed seven people still on the ride as a crane with rescue crews removed riders from the train car.

LIVE: Pleasure Pier roller coaster stopped, rider rescue underway in Galveston, SkyEye13 shows SkyEye13 was over the scene as crews rescued riders who were stopped upright on Pleasure Pier's Iron Shark roller coaster in Galveston.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/boston-firefighter-injured-dorchester-fire/3954576/?amp=1

Boston firefighter killed after crews battled fire at Dorchester residence The Boston Fire Department announced that Robert T. Kilduff, a 24-year veteran, passed away in the line of duty.

Strong showers and thunderstorms are moving through Houston on Saturday afternoon, creating some flash flooding. The good news is that this mess should exit the area over the next couple of hours. Until then be weather aware.

https://spacecityweather.com/stage-2-flooding-conditions-moving-through-houston-but-were-nearing-the-end-of-this-event/

Our condolences go out to the Reed family. HFD has lost one of its most charismatic leaders and a true trendsetter in the Houston fire service...

We know. It has been a busy spring of elections, runoffs and reminders to vote.

But this one still matters.

Early voting for the 2026 primary runoff is open May 18–22. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26.